Regulations of Monastic Life at Seon Centers (선원청규)

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Regulations of Monastic
Life at Seon Centers

﻿선원청규 ​​

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The
so-named “Pure Rules (淸規)” concern the Vinaya, or regulations regarding monastic life, established
by the Seon School of Buddhism. One of the most well-known texts concerning
monastic regulations in the Chinese Seon School is the Pure Rules of Baizhang (百丈淸規; Ch. Baizhang
qinggui; Ko. Baekjang cheonggyu),
which is famous for its aphorism, “A day without work is a day without food (一日不作一日不食).” The monastic regulations of Korean Buddhism also
rely on the Pure Rules of Baizhang,
but the Korean Sangha has also established its own, more simplified monastic
regulations several times in its history, as shown in the Self-Admonitions for Beginners (初發心自警文; Chobalsim jagyeongmun) and Guidelines for Communal Living (共住規約;Gongju gyuyak).

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​A complete and authoritative book containing the
regulations for monastic life was recently published in Korea. In 2011, the
Bureau of Monastic Training, an administrative division of the Jogye Order of
Korean Buddhism, published the Pure Rules
for Seon Centers of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism (Daehanbulgyo jogyejong seonwon cheonggyu).
The publication attracted much attention as it was the first attempt to
systematize monastic regulations in the 1,700-year history of Korean Buddhism.

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​The Pure
Rules for Seon Centers of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism modernized
monastic regulations by addressing diverse issues and questions faced by modern
Sangha including: financial transactions, the reversion of monastics’ private
belongings to the order, and the ownership of vehicles and electronic
appliances as well as issues such as ecology and organ donation. In addition,
this publication also addressed, in simple and concise terms, what is required to
practice Buddhism in these modern times, rendering itself a guide for the daily
lives of practitioners.

- excerpt from Buddhist English (Intermediate 1) published in 2014 by the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism​​